All Classes
We, the students and myself, are beginning several new educational adventures. We will not be leaving the classroom during this time, but I believe these adventures will be extremely worthwhile. As always, please feel free to email me any questions, comments, concerns, or praises.
A major focus recently is helping students to understand time management. For this, we have begun using our Google Calendar as a way to organize our academic and extra curricular life. Students are putting times they are not available because of class, sports, or lessons. They are adding reminders for assignments due in the future.
Students have also worked on SMART Goals for the 1st Quarter.
SMART stands for:
Specific
Measurable
Attainable
Realistic
Time Sensitive
At the end of the quarter students will evaluate whether they have accomplished these goals. They will then write new goals for the 2nd Quarter. We will do this for each quarter and students are expected to track their progress. On Mondays, I will give students a few minutes in class to review goals and update their calendars. I think it is a beneficial skill to master in middle school. It is something that they will use their entire life.
VLOGGING
In the next few weeks, I want students to begin vlogging for one of their blog assignments. Vlogging is a popular term that means video blogging. Students will be given a topic or quote, they will record their reactions and discussions on the assignment. Students will be practicing speaking skills as well as presentations during these video assignments. Below you find a link for more information on vlogging.
Fun Friday
Another project that students will be working is call Fun Friday. Below you will find all the information I have shared with students. Please feel free to discuss this project with them. I am extremely excited about it, and they are too.
WARNING! Lots of information below. Information overload is to be expected.
Dear Parents (Guardians),
We are starting our Fun Friday project. This project is modeled after Google’s 20% project and an educational Genius Hour Project. This is a major project-based learning assignment that will span over an extended period of time and encourages students to pursue a creative interest they might not otherwise experience in academia.
After hours and hours of research, I feel confident that this is going to be a great learning tool for the students as well as myself. With this project, students will gain skills and knowledge of what it means to function in the real world. They will obtain valuable problem solving skills, time management skills, and creative thinking. The goal is that students can learn these skills while creating a product that will instill intrinsic motivation.
Students have brainstormed ideas and are in the process of setting up a proposal to pitch their idea. They will present their proposal to the class. Students may work alone, or in small groups no more than 4 people. The students should be “product focused”. The product can be a physical product, a virtual product, or an organization that has another purpose.
Students will be working on this every Friday throughout the duration of the project. The only failed project is the one that doesn’t get done. I want students to present a successful project, but I do not want pursuit of perfection to end with an incomplete project.
Expectations
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You may work alone or with a small group.
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Decide carefully. If you choose a small group (no more than 4 people per group), you will have to compromise with your group and deal with other personalities. If you work alone, you have complete autonomy but you are responsible for the outcome.
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Is this person a worker or floater?
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Can I get along with this person for the entire time?
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Is this person going to keep on track or distract me?
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This is not about hanging out with friends, but making something really cool!
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Choose a project that is new to you and something you wouldn’t normally do in another academic class.
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Write up a proposal and pitch it to the rest of the class that includes a purpose, audience, timeline, and resources you will need to complete the project. You will present your pitch to the class.
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Reflect on the process each week on the blog.
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If, at any moment, you feel lost, overwhelmed, or uninspired, you must set a meeting with me to find a solution.
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Be a doer! Do not spend the majority of your time thinking! Make something!
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Failure is an option. Simply learning from your mistakes teaches you a lot.
Proposal
Due 9-27-13
Once the team/individual has an idea of what project they want to pursue, they begin writing the proposal. This is how the team/individual will “pitch” the project to me and the rest of the class. In this proposal, students will answer the following questions.
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What is your project?
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Who will work with you on this project?
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Who is the audience / user base / client base for this project?
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Why is this project worthwhile?
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What do you expect to learn from this project?
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What PRODUCT will you have to show at the end of the year?
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What sort of expenses will be involved in your project and how will you cover them?
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What sort of equipment will you need and where will you get it?
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What is your timeline for completing (or launching) your project/product? (Plan)
REQUIREMENTS
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Driving Question
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What are you learning about?
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It has to be some kind of learning.
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Research/Reading
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What resources did you use?
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What did you read about the topic/subject?
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Where did you get your information?
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Documenting It
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Keep your blog or vlog updated with your progress.
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Sharing it
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EVERYONE needs to have access to it.
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Presentation on your greatest accomplishment during Genius Hour
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Product
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You must have a final product
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Writing
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What did you learn? How can you prove your learning? (Give specific evidence!)
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Resources Behind Fun Fridays & What I Am Hoping to Accomplish In My Classroom
- Done Manifesto
- Dan Pink: The Puzzle of Motivation (Video)
- RSA Animate: Truth About What Motivates Us (Video)
- Dan Pink: Autonomy, Mastery, Purpose (Video)